Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis
Published on: August 26, 2025
Post-Tracheostomy Vascular Injury to the Anomalous Thymic Branch Managed by Endovascular Coiling
Nirmalya Ray1, Chirag Kamal Ahuja1, Ajay Kumar1
1Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, 29751Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
Background:
Tracheostomy-related arterial haemorrhage can be devastating especially if arising from an obscure anomalous vessel which can potentially complicate treatment decision.
Methods:
We report a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with upper airway obstruction, who had profuse bleeding, post-tracheostomy, from the stomal site. CT angiography showed presence of a pseudoaneurysm adjacent to the tracheostomy site which was confirmed on catheter angiography to be arising from anomalous thymic branch of right common carotid artery (CCA). Superselective cannulation of the anomalous thymic artery was done using a microcatheter with subsequent coil embolization.
Results:
Post-coiling, the bleeding stopped immediately and the patient recovered. He was under oncology care till 3 months following embolization and was doing well.
Conclusions:
The emergency physicians should be aware of this rare variation of thymic artery while performing tracheostomy. Ultrasound as point-of-care device may help mitigate these complications. Endovascular embolization is a minimally invasive and effective management option for an injured arterial branch from a tracheostomy.
Related Concept Videos
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Tracheostomy Care II: Procedure
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene, and put on personal protective equipment: gown, gloves, mask...
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Trachea
Anatomical Features:
Location: About half of the trachea is situated in the neck, anterior to the esophagus, and extends from the larynx (at the level of...
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:

